How to Set up an Email Account in Windows Mail

With the release of Windows Vista earlier this year, Microsoft replaced its tried-and-true email software Outlook with a new program called Windows Mail. The difference in names aside, the two programs are essentially the same. People who used Outlook in the past will find it very easy to get along with Windows Mail. To get started, you'll need to set up an email account so you can start receiving mail.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Open up Windows Mail. You can find the program in the Start Menu, the system tray, the desktop or the Quick Launch bar, depending on the settings you've chosen.

2. Click on "Tools" and then open up the "Accounts" window.

3. Click on "Add" and choose to create an email account instead of a newsgroup account or directory service. Click on "Next."

4. Type in the name that you'd like all of your outgoing mail to be labeled. This is different from your personalized email signature, which goes at the bottom of each of your email messages. Click "Next."

5. Type in your email address. Don't worry if it's an Internet email address with a site like Gmail or Yahoo! It doesn't make a difference to Windows Mail.

6. Select the incoming server type. POP3 is pretty much the standard, but you should check with your account provider before selecting a type. Usually email sites will have all of this information on a specific page. You can hunt around until you've found the right one.

7. Type in the names of your email provider's incoming and outgoing mail servers. Again, call your provider or look on their website for these addresses. Click on "Next."

8. Enter the login information (username and password) you use to access your online email account. Click on "Next."

9. Verify the information in final window and click "Create."